Intriguing news from around the globe

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to produce aluminum-based Jeep Wrangler

The newest version of the Jeep Wrangler may comprised of aluminum instead of the traditional steel, an indication that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will transfer its car production from its Toledo plant situated in Ohio.

Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne quipped at the Paris auto show that FCA has been whipping up series of engineering studies, to shed the weight of the Wrangler and to enhance further its features. Marchionne also added that the people at FCA are locked in a debate then on whether they will use steel or aluminum on their newest automobile.

FCA eventually settled for aluminum, and this will imply that to produce the Wrangler, the company should shift its operation from Toledo to somewhere else to make the most of their resources and assets.

FCA has recently started manufacturing the small Renegade Jeep model in Italy and intends to concentrate the production of Jeeps in Brazil and China in 2014.

Marchionne stated that the company is facing one issue which is to fulfill its commitment to Toledo and the Ohio state. The production of the Wrangler elsewhere should not give rise to displacement of some of the current employees.

To date, the Toledo plant presently manufactures both the Jeep Cherokee and Wrangler.

The Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee are the company’s two best-selling models for the brand that tracks their heritage to the enigmatic military vehicles employed in World War Two.

FCA’s Jeeps are expected to breach the 1 million sold units this year, posting a decent 37% increase as compared with the same period last year. FCA is hopeful that its sales will reach the 1.9 million mark in 2018.